Pennsylvania Act 2017-57 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - VEHICLES EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION AND OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS

Act text

Session of 2017

No. 2017-57

SB 785

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in registration of vehicles, further providing for vehicles exempt from registration; and providing for operation of golf carts.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:

§ 102. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

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"Golf cart." A self-propelled motor vehicle designed and manufactured for the transportation of persons or equipment for sporting, maintenance or recreational purposes that is not capable of exceeding a speed of 20 miles per hour.

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Section 2. Section 1302(3) and (14) of Title 75 are amended and the section is amended by adding a paragraph to read:

§ 1302. Vehicles exempt from registration.

The following types of vehicles are exempt from registration:

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(3) Any self-propelled golf cart used for the transportation of persons [engaged in the game of golf] or equipment for sporting, maintenance or recreational purpose while crossing [any] certain public [highway during any game of golf] highways .

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(14) Any vehicle used for golf course [or] maintenance, resort maintenance or college, university or seminary campus maintenance when such vehicle does not travel on public roads in excess of one mile and the property on both sides of the public road is owned by said golf course [or] , resort or college, university or seminary .

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(23) Any all-terrain vehicle exempt from registration under Chapter 77 (relating to snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles) and operated as an emergency vehicle by a police or fire department or emergency medical services agency when the vehicle does not travel on public highways in excess of two miles and is primarily for off-highway use and only operated incidentally upon the highway. An all-terrain vehicle so operated shall comply with section 4571 (visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles).

Section 3. Title 75 is amended by adding a chapter to read:

CHAPTER 77A

OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS

Sec.

77A01. Operation on highways.

77A02. Designation of golf cart crossings.

77A03. Operation by persons under 16 years of age.

§ 77A01. Operation on highways.

(a) General rule.--Except as described under section 1302(3) or (14) (relating to vehicles exempt from registration) or otherwise provided under this chapter, it is unlawful to operate a golf cart on any highway.

(b) Crossing highway.--A golf cart may make a direct crossing of a highway upon compliance with the following requirements:

(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing.

(2) The golf cart is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main-traveled way of the highway.

(3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic.

§ 77A02. Designation of golf cart crossings.

(a) General rule.--The department on State-designated highways and a local authority on highways within the local authority's jurisdiction may designate a crossing within the jurisdiction as a golf cart crossing with official traffic-control devices for the crossings.

(b) Posting notices.--Adequate notice of golf cart crossing designations shall be sufficiently and prominently displayed.

(c) Golf cart crossing costs.--If a golf cart crossing is beneficial to residents of a homeowners association, a private college or other private entity, the homeowners association, private college or other private entity shall be responsible for costs incurred by the department or political subdivision.

(d) Liability.--Liability may not be imposed on the department or any other State agency or any political subdivision of this Commonwealth as a result of designating any crossing over any highway as a golf cart crossing as provided under subsection (a).

§ 77A03. Operation by persons under 16 years of age.

A person under 12 years of age may not operate a golf cart. A person between 12 and 16 years of age may not drive a golf cart across any highway unless the person is under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older.

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 29th day of November, A.D. 2017.

TOM WOLF